Mitsotakis calls on Tsipras to make full use of trip to US
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the leader of the main conservative opposition New Democracy, called on Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to fully utilize the opportunities presented during his official trip to the US.
"The prime minister's visit to the USA comes at a particularly beneficial time for our country as, despite the very serious problems we face on the domestic level due to the irresponsible choices of the government, Greece remains an islet of stability in the southeastern Mediterranean which is being tested by major upheaval."
He added that the current state of affairs, combined with the major problems currently rocking US ties with Turkey, "essentially upgrades the negotiating stance of our country."
In view of all this, Mitsotakis noted, Tsipras has a unique opportunity to secure a long-term agreement for Souda Bay that boosts Greece's defense agreement with the US, to create a "road map" of strategic cooperation in all areas of Greek interest with an emphasis on drawing investments to boost economic recovery and to gain specific commitments from the American leadership on important national issues for Greece such as its ties with Turkey, the Cyprus problem, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia name dispute and the refugee crisis.
The ND leader also underlined the importance of the role of the Greek diaspora in supporting "the motherland," adding that steps should be taken to ensure that Greeks living abroad should be able to vote from their place of residence.
